ELECTRICAL HAZARDS AND THEIR SYMPTOMS

Circuit Breaker Panel Potential

• Power Outages fuses need replacement or circuit breakers

need resetting frequently
• Overrated Panel electrical panel contains fuses or circuit
breakers rated at higher currents than the ampacity (current
capacity) of their branch circuits, some times called
"overamped" or "overfused"
• Dim/Flickering lights dim or the size of your television
picture LIGHTS shrinks often
• Arcs or Sparks bright light flashes or showers of sparks
anywhere in your electrical system
• Sizzles/Buzzes unusual sounds from the electrical system
• Overheating parts of your electrical system, such as switch
plates, wall outlet covers, cords and plugs may be warm.
These should never be hot-painful to touch, or discolored from
heat
• Permanently using rctensions to extend the home wiring
system for a long period
• Installed instead of being used temporarily to connect some
item
• Appliances with a cord too short to reach the wall outlet
• Loose Plugs attachment plugs that wobble or pull out of a
wall outlet easily
• Damaged cut, broken, or cracked insulation
According to the National Occupational Health & Safety
Commission, safe work systems regarding the use of
electricity include:

• Portable power tools being grounded or double insulated

• Double adaptors being prohibited
• Immediate removal of equipment with frayed or
damaged electrical leads from the workplace for repair
• A system of work permits to ensure that the location of
cables (overhead, underground, under floor and other
side of walls) are determined before digging, drilling etc.
• Tagging and isolation procedures are put in place
• Only cordless tools are used in damp or wet conditions
• Metal ladders are not used for electrical work
• All electrical equipment is designed and manufactured in
accordance with Australian Standards AS3000 and AS3100
• All electricians are trained in first aid treatment for electric
shock.
Effects of Electric Current in the Human Body
Current Reaction
1 Milliampere Perception level. Just a faint tingle.
5 Milliamperes Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing.

Average individual can let go. However, strong involuntary reactions

to shocks in this range can lead to injuries.
6-25 Milliamperes
Painful shock, muscular control is lost.
(women)
9-30 Milliamperes
This is called the freezing current or "let-go" range.
(men)
50-150 Milliamperes Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contractions.*
Individual cannot let go. Death is possible.
1,000-4,300 Ventricular fibrillation. (The rhythmic pumping action of the heart
Milliamperes ceases.) Muscular contraction and nerve damage occur. Death is
most likely.
10,000-Milliamperes Cardiac arrest, severe burns and probable death.
PREVENTING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Insulation
•An insulator is any material with high resistance to electric current.
Insulators-such as glass, mica, rubber, and plastic-are put on
conductors to prevent shock, fires, and short circuits.

Guarding
•location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure accessible only to
qualified persons;
•use of permanent, substantial partitions or screens to exclude
unqualified persons;
•location on a suitable balcony, gallery, or platform elevated and
arranged to exclude unqualified persons;
•elevation of 8 feet (2.44 meters) or more above the floor.
Grounding
• Grounding is another method of protecting employees from
electric shock; however, it is normally a secondary protective
measure.
• By "grounding" a tool or electrical system, a low-resistance
path to the earth is intentionally created.

Circuit Protection Devices

• Circuit protection devices are designed to automatically limit
or shut off the flow of electricity in the event of a ground-fault,
overload, or short circuit in the wiring system.
• e.g Fuses, circuit breakers, and ground-fault circuit interrupters
SAFE WORK PRACTICES
• De-energizing electric equipment before inspecting or making
repairs,
• using electric tools that are in good repair,
• using good judgment when working near energized lines
• using appropriate protective equipment
PODA MONKEY